NFL Midseason All-Rookie Team: Jets Sauce Gardner, Ohio State WR duo highlight impact of first-year players

The midpoint of the 2022 NFL regular season is here, finally, of sorts. Technically, it’s Week 9 halftime, so be sure to read this article. The selections will not change depending on the first half game on Sunday.

This is your All-Rookie team of the first half of 2022. The draft class of 2022 wasn’t lauded for its strength at quarterback, and it absolutely played out on the court until here.

We run “11 personnel” – one guard, one tight end, and three receivers – offensively, and one nickel look – two linebackers, five defensive backs – on defense, the most common personnel packages on either side of the ball in the NFL of today.

Zappe’s acting in his Mac Jones relief appearances had Patriots fans buying Zappe Hour shirts and conjuring up stories from Bledsoe to Brady in their heads. Individually, Zappe hasn’t been great in those starts, but the New England offense received a burst of energy every time he stepped on the field. There are clear limits to his game – average arms and mobility – but there is minimal shyness, which I respect for a rookie passer. Don’t be surprised when we see Zappe later this season.

Pierce was the seventh running back and the second (!) Pierce selected in the 2022 draft. (No relation to Colts wide Alec Pierce, by the way.) And the rugged runner was the top running back the most consistent in its class to date. Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III is closing in, but Pierce’s 540 yards lead all rookies, as does his 41 forced missed tackles. Pierce has a thundering back and lightning fast feet.

Alabama isn’t the only big-name college program pumping out first-round receivers. Ohio State has two members on this team, and they were the shoo-ins. And the first half of Olave’s NFL career was bananas. He’s been thrust into a No. 1 wide role with Andy Dalton throwing passes at him — not exactly what New Orleans was considering when the club traded for the longtime Buckeyes star — and he’s produced, leading his draft class in receiving yards (547). He also made some spectacular catches in traffic.

Wilson, the springiest of the duo, had the second-most rookie yards (430) despite having less-than-stellar quarterback play. He forced 11 missed tackles on 34 receptions. It’s amazing.

Wide receiver: Alec Pierce, Colts

Pierce sneaks onto the roster due to his consistency in another offense held up by his quarterback. He’s third in rookie yards and first in yards per reception, and perhaps that last stat shouldn’t surprise us — Pierce is 6-foot-3 with a speed of 4.41 and a vertical of 40.5 inches.

Bellinger is currently dealing with a nasty eye injury, but the former San Diego State phenom the Giants picked in the fourth round was at the center of the Giants’ low-volume offense during the surprising the team started 6-2. He has 16 catches for 152 yards with two scores, and his 6.4-yard average after catching per reception leads all qualifying rookie tight ends.

Playing the “top five” blockers is a common coaching adage, and I follow it here, with four tackles and a cross for this list. They all deserved it. Linderbaum hasn’t been as dominant as he was in the Iowa Big 10. However, he is playing well beyond his years in the Baltimore offense.

Offensive line: Abraham Lucas, Seahawks

The two tackles in Seattle are a big deal. Lucas wants to punish all defenders on rush plays and is of course a polished pass protector after his long and illustrious career in Washington State’s pass-obsessed offense.

Jones was a fifth-round pick in Southern Utah, and while the raw and forward stats aren’t incredibly nice right now, watching his movie, I see a long, physical, and decently balanced left tackle going down. basically improving every week, and Chicago doesn’t offer him much outside help.

Cross and Ekwonu, the two top-notch tackle prospects in the Class of 2022, took a week or two to settle in, and now they’re thriving, especially when asked to protect their respective quarterbacks. They are both calm and athletic blockers. Ekwonu has been studious lately, Cross has been more consistent since the start of the season.

If you overlooked Ebiketie’s production, you won’t be at fault, as the Falcons defense as a whole has been shaky in the first half of the season. But Penn State’s second-round pick demonstrated all the refined traits and skills that made him fly the boards during the pre-draft process. He recorded the third-most presses (19) on the fourth-most pass-rush snaps among rookie rushers entering Week 9.

As for Thibodeaux, he began to come into his own after an injury delayed his NFL debut. Run saves, quick passing wins – we’re starting to see the Thibodeaux who shone for three seasons at Oregon. He has multiple pressures in his last five outings.

Believe it or not, Davis is second among all rookie defensive tackles in pressures (seven) midway through the season. He was also expected as a rock against the run for Philadelphia’s strong defense.

Lost in the Buccaneers’ disappointing start was a sneaky good start for Hall. No, he didn’t set the world on fire, but the No. 1 pick in the second round appeared to be a versatile passing specialist on the Tampa Bay defensive line. He leads all interior rushers with seven quarterback pressures to date.

Rodriguez was an afterthought on day three of the draft, a lowly sixth-round pick by the Lions. But on a brutal Detroit defense, the former Oklahoma State stud has been a man on a mission. He missed just 8.2% of his tackle attempts – a low number – with a pass breakup, forced fumble, four pressers and a sack as one of his club’s full-time linebackers.

Lloyd gets a slight nod to Quay Walker in Green Bay, mostly due to his cover ball production. Lloyd has missed tackles at a higher rate than Walker, but leads all rookie linebackers in tackles (68) and pressures (eight).

Gardner is the overwhelming favorite to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. His 12 pass breakups lead the entire NFL. Despite his lanky build which generally leads to slower quickness on the short areas, Gardner’s tightness and length help him consistently disrupt passes.

Cornerback: Tariq Woolen, Seahawks

Woolen is another length-based outside corner with a blistering 4.26 speed, and frankly, his covering instincts are far more advanced than anyone – including the Seahawks – probably expected. He has four interceptions so far.

Cornerback: Jack Jones, Patriots

Jones didn’t play at the start of his rookie season, but then burst onto the scene with a six-book pick from Aaron Rodgers a few weeks ago. He had another choice against the Lions. Despite missing numerous tackles, the Arizona State product has been all over the New England defense.

Yes, a second Lions defenseman on this list, which seems crazy considering how porous Detroit’s defense is. Joseph was incredibly lanky at Illinois in college and played like that gum at fullback through the first half of his first campaign for the Lions. He has a pass breakup and two forced fumbles, and teams have pulled away from him on the field. Joseph has allowed three catches on just eight targets in his coverage area to date.

Brisker was a fierce and constantly involved defender at Penn State. This style carried over to Chicago during his rookie season with the Bears. He leads all rookie safeties with 51 tackles and pressures (four). His interception against the Patriots was of the highlight variety. Brisker is a DUDE.